LAFAYETTE - Using an efficient effort on offense, by finishing the match at a .318 hitting percentage, the Ragin' Cajuns volleyball team was able put away Southern Miss in straight sets Saturday afternoon at Earl K. Long Gym, capping off a perfect 3-0 run through the Bon Temps Invitational.

The sweep of the Golden Eagles (1-5) came by set victories of 25-23, 25-16, 26-24 and extended UL's current overall winning streak to four matches. The Cajuns won for the 21st time in the past 28 outings at E.K. Long Gym, a streak which dates back to 2010.

UL (4-2) used a first-set percentage of .368 and second-set percentage of .464 to fend off the Golden Eagles each time the lead changed hands (nine lead changes over first two sets). Then when the squad's percentage dipped below .200 in the final set, the Cajuns fine tuned their offense down the stretch by using a 12-5 set-ending run to erase a 19-14 deficit and complete the sweep.

In what was the norm all weekend for the Cajuns, a balanced attack helped them overwhelm the opposition. Six different players posted six kills or more. The trio of Blair Claypoole, Mandi Gavin, and Lavinia Tataran led the way with nine kills apiece.

Caitlyn Auxilien led the defense with a match-high 15 digs which upped her weekend total to 44 digs (4.4 digs per set). Through two weekends of play, Auxilien has accrued 102 digs spanning 21 sets.

Louisiana wasn't as effective in its blocking, netting only two, but it wasn't a hindrance as the squad posted 15-plus kills in all three sets. During the tournament, UL's attackers averaged 16.10 kills per set and a .310 hitting percentage.

Head coach Heather Mazeitis-Fontenot, who picked up victory No. 50 as Cajuns head coach in the tournament opener vs. Houston Baptist on Friday, upped her total victories with the program to 52 (fourth-highest in program history).

Claypoole, Gavin and Kelly Wiesmann were the Cajuns representatives on the all-tournament team.

Gavin picked up MVP honors after her impact in all phases of the game. The senior setter excelled in her normal area, dishing out 11.60 assists per set (116 total over 10 sets) and ending each match during the tournament over 10 assists per set. Attacking from the front row, Gavin managed to throw down 23 kills on just 42 attempts and committed only two attack errors (.500 hitting percentage).

The Cajuns seek to continue their win streak on Tuesday when they travel west on Interstate 10 to Beaumont, Texas, for a 7 p.m., meeting with Lamar. Next weekend, Louisiana visits Gainesville, Fla., to take part in the University of Florida's Active Ankle Challenge.

UL was able to grab a victory in a back-and-forth opening set despite a Golden Eagles rally. USM pulled ahead 23-22 with an Andrea Hole attack error. Hole redeemed herself by posting a kill to knot the score, then an attack error by Lydia Bonner set up the Cajuns for set point. Abby Filce took a feed from Gavin for a kill and a 1-0 lead in the match.

The Cajuns potent offense, which hit .468 in the second set, was able to wear down the Eagles after a close battle early in the set. Wiesmann broke a 9-all tie with back-to-back kills, then a Gavin ace pushed UL ahead 12-9.

USM closed within three points, 17-14, but the Cajuns rolled of six unanswered points to pull away to a 2-0 lead in the match.

Louisiana played from behind nearly the entire third set, trailing by as many as five points (20-15) entering the final stretch. A 6-1 run drew the hosts even at 21-all.

A kill by Lavinia Tataran would break a 23-all tie, but USM fought off set point with an Emily Sears kill. A kill by Gavin returned the lead to the Cajuns and an attack error by Katie Steelman handed UL set and match point.

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